Tag Archives: Racing

Introduction to Mountain Bike Racing

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Firecrest MTB – Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo
Introduction to Mountain Bike Racing

Mountain biking has many different sub-disciplines, styles and formats. One such sub-category of mountain biking is racing, which offers a fun way to compete against others, challenge yourself and get more out of your riding.

This guide focusses on three of the racing disciplines for mountain bikes: – Cross-country, Downhill and Enduro. Giving you an insight into the sport of mountain biking, the disciplines, the equipment, the races on offer, how to get started and the right races for you.

The Disciplines

Each of the mountain bike race disciplines’ tests different aspects of a rider fitness, strength and riding skills. Specific mountain bikes have been developed to meet the requirements of each of the race disciplines. Cross-country bikes are designed to be ridden at high speeds over long distances, downhill bikes are designed to take on the challenges of steep and technical terrain and enduro bikes are designed to tackle a range of technical terrain both uphill and downhill at speed. With the boom in Enduro racing creating a new genera of mountain bike and mountain bike races and events that have appealed to a broad range of riders of all ages and experience due to the mix of skills required and the fun format of the races combining the elements of Cross-Country and Downhill Racing.

Cross-Country (XC) Mountain Bike Racing

Cross-country mountain bike racing is a mass start event and is raced around a taped circuit. The circuits are normally 4-6km in length, including uphill, downhill, technical features, jumps, drops and singletrack. The age and experienced based category system determines the number of laps that you’ll race.

Cross-country is an exciting race discipline as you are bar-to-bar with competitors fighting for position. It’s also a good test of fitness and bike handling skills. It’s also the only mountain bike discipline to be raced at the Olympics.

Cross-Country Race Bikes

The ideal cross-country race bike is either a hardtail or short-travel full-suspension bike. The bikes are geared to handle the climbs and the bikes have tyres that offer decent traction but roll quickly. Weight is key and the modern XC bikes are the lightest and strongest they’ve been.

Clothing and Equipment

Most XC racers will wear Lycra shorts and a jersey, you don’t need to worry about body armour because the trails are not overly technical, and cooling and freedom of movement are key. A well-ventilated open faced mountain bike helmet is ideal, too.

Mountain Bike Downhill Racing

Downhill racing is a timed run from the top to the bottom of a downhill track. Riders compete individually on a fully taped course with the fastest time in each category winning.

Depending on the location and size of the event, courses will vary in difficulty, but most especially local and regional events will offer safer secondary routes around highly technical obstacles and sections.

The downhill racing scene is friendly, thanks in part to riders competing against the clock rather than against one another on a track. The format usually sees the fastest rider going down the hill last, making for an exciting culmination to the category and the days racing as that riders does their best to hold onto the fastest time in their category or on the day to take the win.

Due to the nature of the tracks and the features they include, downhill requires skill, commitment and confidence, this results in some spectacular riding making it great for spectators.

To compete at the highest level, you need to be fit, but downhill is more about skills, strength and power compared to cross-country. So, if you prefer to practise corners and jumps rather than hammering out the miles, downhill is probably the discipline for you.

Downhill Race Bikes

If you’re racing on shorter tracks at a local or regional level, a hardtail bike with a suspension fork and disc brakes should be fine. Bigger races (and tracks) are more suited to dedicated downhill mountain bikes or full-suspension bikes with specialist tyres and tougher components. Expect to see dual-crown forks, narrow gear ranges, lots of suspension and big disc rotors.

Clothing and Equipment

For safety, a full-face helmet is mandatory when racing, and it’s wise to use body armour, including knee pads, elbow pads and back protectors.

Mountain Bike Enduro Racing

Enduro racing consists of multiple timed stages (mostly downhill) with liaison sections in-between, joining them all together. In more serious races, you’ll need to complete the liaison stages within a time limit. While you can ride with your mates between the timed stages, you race the stages against the clock individually. Think Rallying but on Mountain Bikes!

The appeal for many of Enduro is that it offers loads of bike time compared to racing downhill. Similarly, to downhill, it’s a great test of skill, but the fitness element means it’s not totally dissimilar to cross-country either. Overall, it’s very sociable and quite relaxed making it great for riders of all ages and abilities.

This type of racing is for people looking to challenge their bike-handling skills and fitness levels together. It’s also ideal for those looking to spend a day out on the bike with plenty of racing.

Enduro Race Bikes

To compete in enduro races, you’ll need anything from a hardtail with a suspension fork to a longer-travel trail bike or a dedicated enduro bike. There’s not much difference between the two but the enduro bike will be dialled in for a day’s racing.

Clothing and Equipment

It’s worth getting a lighter-weight full-face helmet, which will offer the necessary protection without making you overheat on the transitions between stages and the pedalling sections of the races.

The Governing Bodies

Mountain Bike Racing is recognised and sanctioned globally by the Union Cyclist International (UCI) the sport’s International Governing Body and the rights holder for the World Championships and the World Cup Series which along with the Olympic Cross-Country Race are the premier global competitions in mountain biking.

The UCI recognise the governing bodies of cycle sport in each country, in the UK that’s British Cycling. British Cycling are responsible for all cycle sport across the UK. They sanction the various National Championships (awarding the National Champions Jerseys) National Series, regional and in some cases the local races. With reponsibilty for selecting the British Team for the World Championships and World Cup events.

British Cycling oversee the National Rankings which are used to move riders through the ability-based categories within mountain biking and for priority entry into the National Series. Many races are sanction by British Cycling which means they will award ranking points, but some organisers have their own event insurance in place and in these instances, there are no ranking points awarded.

Enduro has its first National Championships in 2024 which is a big step up in recognition. It also means the winners will be crowned National Champions and awarded a National Jersey for the first time.

For more information on the Governing Bodies, you can visit their website here: –

UCI – www.uci.org

British Cycling – www.britishcycling.org.uk/mtb

The Race Categories

Mountain Bike Race Categories are based on age and ability. The age category system can be confusing at first as it’s based on the year of your birthday rather than your age in that year.

So, for example if you’re aged between 12-14 years of age you’ll be in the Juvenile category. However, you will move into the Youth category in the year of your 15th birthday. So, if you’re 14 in January you can ride for the majority of the year that your 14 years of age. Whereas if your birthday is in December then you’ll only have a matter of days in the category at the age of 14 before moving up to the Youth category as one of the youngest riders in the category. There are all sorts of arguments for and against this system and of course for the younger riders you could as “is it fair”? Of course, it’s hard to know how to make this system any farer but it’s important to remember that it’s the year of your birthday not your age in that year when it comes to entering the right age group category. Once you’re out of the younger age group categories then your birthday really has little bearing on when you move up and ironically you move up into the Masters (30-39), Vets (40-49) and Grand Vets (49-59) in the year of your birthday.

The Junior Category is for riders in the years from their sixteenth to eighteenth birthdays. This is also the age that riders are eligible to compete at World Cups in a dedicated Junior Category. When a rider is out of the year of their 18th Birthday, they move into the Senior Category for riders aged 19-29. There’s also the option to be promoted into one of the ability categories either straight from Junior if you are riding at the appropriate level or from senior as you score ranking points at the races. From the Senior Category you’re promoted into the Expert Category and then from there you’re promoted into the Elite Category also known as the Pro/Elite category as this is the level where riders will be competing professionally.

When a rider turn 29 they can move back into the age categories which starts with Masters for riders from 29-39 years of age, then Veterans for riders from 40 – 49 years of age, then Grand Vets for riders from 50-59 and Super Vets for riders from 60 – 69.

British Cycling have a page explaining the Mountain Bike Category System here: –

British Cycling Category System

The Races

It may surprise you to know that for a country with very few mountains we have dominated the mountain bike racing on the World stage over the years. Much of that is due to our fantastic domestic mountain bike race scene with races for riders of all ages and abilities across all the mountain bike disciplines. From local grassroots races which are ideal for those starting out and looking to race on their local trails through to Regional Series for riders looking to develop their craft and National Series that use some of the most demanding tracks in the world there is truly something for everyone.

Here are our favourites and links to their websites for details on their current races and race series.

Cross Country

British Cycling National Cross-Country Series

The National Series is jewel in the Cross-Country Racings Crown. With a 5-race series and a stand-alone National Championships.

British Cycling – National Cross-Country Series

Southern XC

The regional series for the South of England. Great venues and a relaxed racing vibe make the Southern XC a must for riders looking to go head to head with the best racers in the South of England.

Southern XC Series

Gorrick XC

The Gorrick races have been around since the dawn of the sport. Based in the South of England these are a great way to give XC racing a go and ideal for the seasoned XC racer to stretch their legs.

www.gorrick.com

Downhill

British Cycling National Downhill Series

The National Series is jewel in the Downhill Racings Crown. With a 5-race series and a stand-alone National Championships in 2024. For this season they’ve reintroduced the rule that gives riders with 150 National Ranking Points priority entry to the series. That proirty period expires at the beginning of February when riders without points can enter on a first come first served basis. The thinking behind the reintroduction of this rule is that it will ensure the riders competing at the National Races have the right level of experience to compete at this level. If you’re looking to start racing at this level, then start with the British Cycling ranked regional events and build up your experience and the points required to enter the Nationals.

British Cycling – National Downhill Series

Pearce Cycles

What the Pearce Cycles team don’t know about running downhill races isn’t worth knowing. The team has years of experience, and they know how to put on a great event. Billed as a regional series but for many as good if not better than the Nationals these races are the perfect stepping stone between the regional and the National events. The courses are great a step up from the regional races at many venues but there are always B-lines for the technical sections. The hardest part of the Pearce Downhills is getting an entry as these races are extremely popular and sell out quickly when race entries go live. A converted race plate and the opportunity to race their events means you’ve already won. Joking aside if you’re looking for a series of event to target in a season the Peace Cycles Races are the ones to choose.

www.pearcecycles.co.uk

Mini Downhill

There are a number of downhill race organisers that have jumped on the Mini Downhill bandwagon running their own version of the ‘Mini Downhill’ but these are the originals. With some of their most popular downhill races taking place over the winter months in the Forest of Dean they run events throughout the year. The Minidownhills are a great way to get into downhill racing. The tracks are technical enough to test your skills and fitness with optional b-lines on the more technical sections. Check their website for the latest events.

www.minidownhill.com

Racers Guild Racing

Running their events out of the popular Style Cop Mountain Bike Trails in Cannock Chase  the Racers Guild offer a great way to get into downhill racing and the opportunity for seasoned racers to test their skills and fitness against the clock.

The Racers Guild – Facebook Group

Gravity Events UK

Another organiser with a packed calendar of downhill events is Gravity Events UK. Running local, regional and National Events. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook Page as they update their calendar.

www.gravity-events.uk

MIJ Downhill

With events from regionals to Nationals MIJ have something for everyone. Running a packed calendar of races. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page as they update their calendar.

www.facebook.com/mij.downhill

Danny Harts Descend Bike Park

If you’re looking to get started and live in the North East of England (or are prepared to travel) then the races at Danny Harts Bike Park are great. With a choice of trails the races are aimed at all levels of rider looking to put their skills to the test between the tapes.

www.descendbikepark.com

Crickley Flyers

Great grassroots events run at the Fly Up 417 Bike Park in Gloucestershire. These are a great place to get started in downhill racing. These Go-Ride Events are aimed at young riders and first time downhill racers. Great tracks and a fantastic atmosphere make for a great introduction to downhill racing.

crickleyflyersmtbclub.co.uk

Enduro

National Enduro Series

The National Series is put together by a consortium of Enduro Race Organisers under the British National Enduro Series banner. Bringing together the best venues and organisers across the UK to put together the National Series.

British National Enduro Series

Southern Enduro

One of the UK’s leading Regional Series a great stepping stone to the Nationals. Racing across the South of England with some amazing venues and a great days racing.

Southernenduro.co.uk

Mini Enduro

The Mini Enduro events are another one to go to if you’re looking for that stepping stone from Regional to National Level racing. Great venues, a highly experienced organising team and a great days racing.

minienduro.tv

Pedalhounds

A great way to get into Enduro Racing and equally popular with seasoned racers. The Pedalhounds races are run in the South of England at some great venues. A great day out on trails that are designed to challenge your skills but at the same time not be overly technical.

pedalhounds.co.uk

Hope PMBA Enduro Series

With events in England, Scotland and Wales it would be easy to argue that this is a National Series. The Hope PMBA Enduro Series blurs that line in many ways but with the events focussed on having fun there’s something for everyone. The tracks are challenging and the days are often quite long but if that’s what you’re looking for then this is the series for you.

www.pmbaenduro.co.uk

FMTB Young Rider Development Programme – DeVo – Autumn Half Term Holiday Courses 2021

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We have a packed programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses for kids over Autumn Half Term Holidays. With DeVo Level1 and DeVo Evo on Tuesday and DeVo Level2 all day on Thursday. We also have a Girls DeVo on Saturday 23rd October from 9.30am – 12.30pm.

The Level1 Courses can be booked through Eventbrite and the Level2 Courses are part of British Cycling Cycling Development Pathway Centres – Gravity Programme and can be booked through the British Cycling Website. Find out more about the opportunities through the British Cycling Development Pathway  and what it means for the DeVo Programme here>>>

Here’s our programme with links to the booking pages:-

DeVo Level2 – Saturday 18th October
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

Girls DeVo – Saturday 23rd October
9.30am – 12.30pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level1 – Tuesday 26th October
10am – 12pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Evo – Tuesday 26th October
1pm – 3pm – 8-12yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level2 – Thursday 28th October
10pm – 4pm – 12-18yrs of age
Rushmere Country Park
Book Your Place Here>>>

DeVo Level2 Saturday Morning Courses – Winter 2020

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Level2  Saturday Morning Courses:

2. Saturday 18th January – 10am – 1pm
3. Saturday 1st February – 10am – 1pm
4. Saturday 15th February – 10am – 1pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE>>>

The DeVo2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

* All Prices subject to EventBrite Booking Fee.

DMR Bomb Hole Challenge – Aston Hill Bike Park – Report, Results and Pics

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The annual Aston Hill DMR Bikes Bomb Hole Challenge took place on Sunday 4th November. It’s a fund raising event raising money to support the Firecrest MTB Young Rider Development Programme. The monies raise are used to support the DeVo Programmes and pay for spares and accessories to keep the young riders on the trials on the Skills Courses run throughout the year.

The racing takes place in the Bomb Holes on Aston Hill using the one you ride through on the way to the 4X. These are the perfect stage for the Bomb Hole Challenge and the format of the racing is simple.

There are two events, the first is the Sprint Lap, individual riders race two laps of the Bomb Hole circuit, one long and one short to set the fastest time. That’s followed by the Team Relay where teams of 4 race head to head over the best of 3 races to take the win.

18yrs and Over – Male

Nick Mathews raced the Bomb Hole Challenge back in 2001 and dropped in again 17 years later to take the win on his DH Bike!

In the 18 and over category Nick Mathews took the win with a time of 24.6 seconds, with Liam Tyrrell in second on a 24.7 second run and Gareth Shaw rounding out the top 3 with a time of 25.5 seconds.

 

 

 

 

17yrs and Under – Male

Tom Shakespeare putting all his Pumptrack training to good use to stop the clock on 24.6 seconds and take the win.

In the under 17 and under category Tom Shakespeare just pipped Alonso Barbour to the win with a times of 24.6 (the same as Nick’s in the 18’s and Overs) and 24.9 seconds respectively. Greg Brookhouse rounded out the top 3 with the same time as Alonso setting a 24.9.

Women

In the women’s category Annette Bath, set the fastest time with Sophie Davies in 2nd and Jo Shakespeare in 3rd place.

Annette Bath setting the pace in the Women’s category

 

 

Results

You can download a PDF of the full results here:- DMR Aston Hill Bomb Hole Challenge 2018

Great pics from Smudgers Photography

Thanks to Kevin from Smudgers Photography you can download some great images from DropBox here>>>

Here are a few more from the day….

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill – Aston Hill Bike Park – Sunday 10th June 2018

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Promoted by Firecrest Mountain Biking
Race Report – Ian Warby – Firecrest Mountain Biking
Photo’s – Carl Barker and Charlotte Bull Photography.

The Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race was originally planned for the 18th March but when the weather intervened and the ‘Beast from the East’  brought snow to the UK it meant that the race had to be cancelled. So all eyes were on the weather into the weekend of the 9th and 10th June. With the forecasters unsure of which way the weather was going to go everyone waited with baited breath and fingers crossed that it was going to be a good one for racing.

With Ricochet prepped to an inch of it’s life in the run up to the Race the track was running fast as the racers smiles were wide. Ricochet is one of the fastest tracks in Aston Hill Bike Park. It starts with a pedal fest over some big tables with laying down the power a key to a good start as is keeping it low over the jumps! The track then dives into the first of the gravity fed sections a big bombshole which fires riders into a fast straight. The the speed goes up again as riders dive down across the first forest road and then it’s on the brakes as a fast left hander approaches. Holding your nerve and carrying your speed here is key. Then the track opens up with a range of line options as it swings right and into the fast shoot before another fast left hander.

The track then traces the contour of the Hill as the speed picks up and riders are fired through the trees into yet another fast left hander. Here the track opens up yet again though a section known as ‘Roof Roots’ as the camber resembles a pitched roof. High, middle and low lines shoot riders down into a big compression (clocking 3.9G on the Shredmate) then it’s back on the pedals before hitting the roots. Carrying your speed through the root garden and through the trees at the end of it is the key to a good run. Staying off the brakes here takes confidence and focus. The riders then fly into a new berm section before being fired out of the final corner with a drop to the left and the inside line to the right.

Another fast left hander, off a drop and then Ricochet lives up to it’s name as the riders carry their speed through the trees and are fired out into the finish, breathless but buzzing with adrenaline.

Hardtail – Sponsored By DMR Bikes, Mudhugger and Out Skill the Risk

Finn Chapman put together a stunning second run to stop the clock on 1:22:22 and take home the DMR Trailstar Frame. James Eldridge entered his first Downhill Race with no idea how it would go. Showing his hand the week before on the Adult DeVo Ricochet Race MTB Skills Course it came as now surprise to see him on the box, with an arm full of DMR and Mudhugger prizes clocking a time of 1:25:65. Jake Scott (Firecrest MTB) rounded out the top three stopping the clock on 1:30:30.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Finn Chapman 1:27:17 1:22:22 1:22:22
2 James Edridge 1:27:04 1:25:65 1:25:65 3.43s
3 Jacob Scott Firecrest MTB 1:31:84 1:30:30 1:30:30 8.08s

10-12 Ripper Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

George Madley (Regent Projects) put in a great second run to clock a time of 1.27.60 to take the win. Nathan Dwell-Wilson (DC Cycles) also went fast on his second run stopping the clock on 1:33:75 with Aiden Swaby taking third place with a time of 1:43:13. Oliver Sinden (Firecrest MTB) came home in 4th place despite a spill on second run that will see him sidelined for a few weeks with a fractured wrist. Oliver Laurie (Firecrest MTB/Summit) made his racing debut coming down in a time of 1:57:82 as the youngest competitor on the day showing that he’s a rider to watch for the future!

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 George Madley Regent Projects 1:30:27 1:27:60 1:27:60
2 Nathan Diwell-Wilson DC Cycles 1:35:30 1:33:75 1:33:75 6.15s
3 Aiden Swaby 1:44;28 1:43:13 1:43:13 15.53s

13-14 Juvenile Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skills the Risk and Visor Leaf

Kenzie Nevard (Calibre Bikes/Kore/Fasthouse/Firecrest MTB) has his work cut out on his second run after catching two riders on his first. He didn’t waste any time in getting to the bottom of the hill the second time though. Clocking a time of 1:25:94 to take to the top step. Chill Sweeney had been looking quick throughout practice and he came home in second with a time of 1:26:67. Alonso Barbour (Firecrest MTB/Wheelie Bike Shop) rounded out the top three with a time of 1:27:31.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Kenzie Nevard Calibre Bikes 1::40:12 1:25:94 1:25:94
2 Achill Sweeney 1:26:67 1:27:21 1:26:67 0.73s
3 Alonso Barbour Firecrest MTB/Wheelie Bike Shop 1:28:85 1:27:31 1:27:31 1.37s

15-16 Youth Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Youth category is brimming with talent right now and it was a three way battle for the top of the podium. Jeremy Coe (Team Aston Hill/Lovelo MTB Team) just came out on top clocking a time of 1:20:81 on his first run and edging Tom Shakespear (Firecrest MTB) into second place by just 0.18 or a second! Luke Ward (Firecrest MTB) clocked a time of 1:22:13 to take 3rd and underline his status as a rider to watch having been racing for just 18 months!

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Jeremy Coe astonhill.com/Lovelo MTB Team 1:20:81 1:20:85 1:20:81
2 Tom Shakespeare Firecrest MTB 1:20:99 1:22:15 1:20:99 0.18s
3 Luke Ward Firecrest MTB 1:22:13 1:22:31 1:22:13 1.32s

17-18 Junior Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

With Aston Hill – Lovelo Race Team rider Josh Mead away in Leogang on World Cup duty the result was wide open. Dec Willicombe (Kustom Bikes) set the pace on his first run clocking a time of 1:19:51 going on to better that with a time of 1:17:76 on his second to take the win from James Perry (Firecrest MTB) with a time of 1:22:25 and Edward Cook (Giant Newport Pagnell) Rounded out the top three with a time of 1:22:28 just 0.03s behind James.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Dec Willicombe Kustom Bikes 1:19:51 1:17:76 1:17:76
2 James Perry Firecrest MTB 1:24:11 1:22:25 1:22:25 4.49s
3 Edward Cook Giant Newport Pagnall 1:22:28 1:22:77 1:22:28 4.52s

19-29 Senior Men – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Vee Tire, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Senior Men’s category is always hotly contested and with the top 5 separated by less than 3 seconds it was the smallest of mistakes that were going to cost riders dearly. Chris Cockrill (Firecrest MTB) set the pace on the first run clocking a time of 1:17.71 to underline how fast the track was running. Conor Buxton found the all important 0.57s of a second on his second run to steel the win from Chris. Tom Seabrook also went faster on his second run to secure 3rd place with a time of 1:18:46 just a 1.32s of the win.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Conor Buxton 1:18:55 1:17:14 1:17:14
2 Chris Cockrill Firecrest MTB 1:17:71 1:17:73 1:17:71 0.57s
3 Tom Seabrook 1:19:79 1:18:46 1:18:46 1.32s

30-39 Master Men – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Vee Tire, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Masters Category was one of the biggest on the day with 57 riders lining up. Stacked with talent Paul Hank’s time of 1:16:74 was enough to just edge Ben Deakin (DMR Mucoff) by 0.35s with Ben clocking a time of 1:17:09 with Danny Harper (Giant Leamington Spa) clocking a time of 1:18:28 to just edge Andy Weames (Mountain Mania) off the podium by 0.01s with the top 10 riders all within 5 seconds of the winner.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Paul Hanks 1:17:94 1:16:74 1:16:74
2 Ben Deakin DMR/Mucoff 1:18:63 1:17:09 1:17:09 0.35s
3 Dan Harper Giant Leamington Spa 1:21:16 1:18:28 1:18:28 1.54s

40+ Veteran Men – Sponsored by OTEC Bikes, Stans No Tubes, Vee Tire, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

It was Lee vs Lee for the top step of the podium with Handley (Moir Racing) just edging out Nevard (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) clocking 1:22:56 and 1:23:56 respectively and just 0.67s between them. Dan Kelly went a fraction faster on his second run to secure 3rd with a time of 1:26:18.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Lee Handley Moir Racing 1:24:11 1:22:56 1:22:56
2 Lee Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:25:13 1:23:23 1:23:23 0.67s
3 Dan Kelley 1:26:32 1:26:18 1:26:18 3.62s

U18 Girls – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, DMR Bikes, and Visor Leaf

Megan Nevard (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) set the time to beat on her second run clocking 1:42:25 and the fastest women’s time of the day. Keeping the sibling rivalry alive for another week it was Meg’s sister Taylor (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) in second place with a time of 1:54:15. Making it four podiums from the four Nevard family members racing which has to be some kind of record? Page Laurie (Firecrest MTB) rounded out the top 3 places with a time of 2:00:53.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Megan Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:46:28 1:42:25 1:42:25
2 Tayla Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:50:91 1:47:47 1:47:47 5.22s
3 Paige Laurie Firecrest MTB 2:05:60 2:00:53 2:00:53 18.28s

18+ Women – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, DMR Bikes, and Visor Leaf

Renée Diwell (DC Cycles) set the time to beat stopping the clock on 1:44:68 on her first run. As last rider down the win was her’s for the taking and with a time of 1:41:96 she sealed the win. Sue Faraone clocked a time of 1:54:15 for second and Joanna Tucker rounded out the podium just a 10th shy of Sue time with a time of 1:54:25 in third place.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Renée Diwell DC Cycles 1:44:68 1:41:96 1:41:96
2 Sue Faraone 1:54:47 1:54:15 1:54:15 12.19s
3 Joanna Tucker 1:54:25 1:56:32 1:54:25 12.29s

Expert/Elite Men – Sponsored by Out Skill the Risk, Mudhugger, Vee Tire, and Visor Leaf

The three riders lining up in the Expert/Elite Category knew that every second would count an that the win could be decided by a matter of tenths. In the end Glenroy Martin (Grips Bikes) laid down a time that had riders scratching their head as to how it was possible clocking a 1:16:00 on his first run. There was much between John Holbrook (Firecrest MTB) and Thomas Davies with Thomas just two tenths clear in second place. The big question was could Glenroy go faster?

Stopping the clock on 1:15:03 Glenroy nearly knocked a second off his time to secure the win. John and Tom both improved their time but only enough for John to leapfrog Tom into second with a 1:16:54 and Tom to round out the top 3 with a time of 1:17:28.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Glenroy Martin Grips Bikes 1:16:00 1:15:03 1:15:03
2 John Holbrook Firerest MTB 1:18:45 1:16:54 1:16:54 1.51s
3 Thomas Davies 1:18:24 1:17:28 1:17:28 2.25s

I’d like to thank my Family, friends, Aston Hill Bike Park, Forestry Commission and the Organising Team that work so hard with me make the events on Aston Hill possible- all of our sponsors and partners – Mountain Mania Cycles, DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, Visor Leaf, and Saracen Bikes – the Marshal’s, Medics, Dean and the guys that keep the car park running smoothly throughout the day – Action Sports Timing for keeping time and our caterers for keeping everyone fed and fuelled. Thanks as always to a list too long to put here – you know who you are and without your help and support we couldn’t bring these Races to life. Last, but not least, to everyone that supported the Race and understood the challenges we faced due to the weather and back in March and those that entered the June Race.

There will be more Downhill Races on Aston Hill in 2019. We’ll be back racing on Aston Hill on Sunday 2nd September with the Pedalhounds Enduro. Keep an eye on the Firecrest MTB Website for dates and details as we get them.

Meet the Aston Hill Lovelo MTB Racing Team

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Firecrest MTB have been working with the Aston Hill Downhill Team for the past 5 seasons. Helping it to earn the reputation of one of the most respected teams in the paddock and taking the team to countless wins and even more podiums at local, regional and national races across the UK.

For 2018 the team has brought on Lovelo Cycle Works in Berkhamsted as a joint title sponsor and the teams tyre supplier Michelin caught up with the Team to find out what their aims are ambitions are for 2018 and get under the skin of the Aston Hill Lovelo MTB Racing Team.

Read the full article here>>>

Young Rider Development Programme – Level2 – Half Term Holiday Course – 31st May 2018

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Firecrest Mountain Biking’s Young Rider Development Programme’s (DeVo) popular Half Term MTB SkillsTraining Courses (Level2) will be running at Aston Hill Bike Park in the Half Term Holidays on Thursday 31st May from 10am – 4pm. The Course is for Mountain Bikers aged from 12 years to 18 years old looking to develop their Mountain Bike Skills.

The Half Term Holiday Mountain Bike Skills Courses at Aston Hill Bikepark will get you riding your Mountain Bike with more confidence and speed. They are a great opportunity to meet likeminded young riders and progress your riding. From getting faster on the trails on Aston Hill through to racing at Local, Regional and National Competitions.

For young mountain bikers coming through our programme of Mountain Bike Skills Courses they build on the skills taught on the Level1 Courses. All the Training Courses Firecrest run provide an insight into the Mountain Bike Skills Essentials that enable you to get the most from your Mountain Bike.

Firecrest MTB’s DeVo Level2 Mountain Bike Skills Courses will be using all the trails on Aston Hill from the Pumptrack to the tight and technical Black Run through to the big jumps and drops on Surface to Air!

All the training is given under the watchful eye of Firecrest MTB’s highly experienced staff providing expert tuition. If you’re looking to develop your Mountain Bike Skills these are the courses for you!

All of Firecrest’s Mountain Bike Skills Courses are structured to provide a progressive programme of Mountain Bike Skills Training so you can come on them all or just come along on the days you can make to suit.

Courses Date:

Thursday 31st May – 10am – 4pm – Spaces Available

Aston Hill – Lovelo Racing Team at Rnd 1 of the National Downhill Series

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Cwmcarn Forest – South Wales
Sunday 8th April 2018
Intro – Ian Warby – Firecrest MTB
Race Report – Joe Kilner and Aston Hill – Lovelo Race Team

Well it felt like the longest off season ever with a cold and wet winter to go with it, but as the saying goes ‘time wait for no one’ and the First Round of the all new National Downhill Series rolled round early in April.

The racer’s headed back to Cwncarn in South Wales to get the National Series off to flying start for 2018. With best chance in years to see the best in the World compete at a DH within 4 hours of London spectators headed to Cwmcarn to catch all the action too making the atmosphere feel more like a World Cup than a National.

The Aston Hill – Lovelo Racing Team has been working hard over the off season for a busy year with both Jeremy Coe and Josh Mead racing in their last year in Youth and Junior categories respectively and Joe Kilner stepping up into the Super Vets, racing against the over 50’s (not as easy as it sounds).  Ellen comes into 2018 as one of the leading Junior Women with a chance of taking the top step at every race she competes at.

I’ll hand over to Joe and the Team over on Ride.io to take you trackside and give you the inside line on how the racing went…

Aston Hill – Lovelo Racing Team – National Downhill Rnd1
Race Report – Ride.io

 

Mountain Mania Cycles – Aston Hill Downhill – Sunday 10th June 2018

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Aston Hill Bike Park
Sunday 10th June 2018

The Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race has been resided for Sunday 10th June 2018 and here’s the info on our race partners and sponsor and all the information you need if you’re coming to watch!

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Sponsors and Event Partners

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Car Parking

See you on Sunday 10th June!

Weather Update – 17.03.18 – 12.30pm – Race Postponed to 10.06.18

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Weather Update – 17.03.18 – 12.30pm

Having monitored the weather, the trail conditions and the forecast throughout the morning we have made the difficult decision to postpone tomorrows race.

All racers will have their entries transferred to the 10th June when the postponed race will be held on Ricochet.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly and we have everyone’s safety in mind.

Thank you for understanding.